now they are starting to make, or, say, well if my guy isn't going to get it let me think about the other. >> what exactly is happening is a mystery but for the smoke coming from the chimney above twice a day during the conclave the vatican aiming to avoid confusion, now using chemistry and technology in the cast iron stove that sends this emergency to the world. >> there is a cartridge put inside of it that contains the necessary schedule products. there is an electronic device that releases the cartridge. >> modern update to a century's old process. >> it was this time during the last conclave there was white smoke and we learned pope benedict xvi was elected. in the crowd, now, the anticipation is building.

>> marci, thank you. the smoke signals are about technology and also about chemistry. katie marzullo has that part of the story including lighter moments during the wait. >> the news conference lasted two hours this morning with three priests, the vatican spokesman answering questions in multiple languages. when the topic towns to the chemical makeup of the smoke it got hazy hazy. >> we will take a huge risk in describing the chemicals because i only received the names in italian six minutes ago. i studied the bible not chemistry. >> he did the best he could. >> the black smoke we have colored potassium, and something else that i don't know what it is which is very powerful, and zinc. >> rather, it should be sulpher. the black smoke signals no pope,

the white smoke means a new pope five cartridges and up to seven create a lot of smoke. it is bad for the art or the people? >> they left the sistine chapel in good health and the frescos are in perfect condition. >> there are cardinal whose inhale smoke on purpose and cigarette breaks are allowed dug the conclave. >> they may smoke in their rooms or outside but they would do that in accordance with the rules of good manners. >> for the curious, the white smoke is produceed by pine resin , and potassium. >> no one has a better vantage point for smoke watch than a sea gull picking a high profile spot to hang out.

the newly nameed sistine seagull has twitter page with 4,500 followers. >> betting sites are heating up over the next pope. the top contender is cardinal scola of milan. second is peter turkson of ghana, and third, scherer of brazil. eight years ago several sites correctly predicted the last mope. abc7 news has an interactive guide to the top contenders with a link on abc7 news under "see it on tv." stay with abc7 news for the latest developments from vatican city. we will break in to programming the second a pope is elected and tweet the news at abc7 news bay area. >> we have breaking news. the san francisco symphony musicians are on strike holding a media briefing to discuss the labor dispute.

the musicians say the wages are $7,500 less than other major orchestras and said they notified the union a revised proposal will be offered tomorrow. the musicians decided to strike rather than continue with negotiations. a concert scheduled for 2:00 p.m. tomorrow has been canceled. >> it has been a foggy morning but it is trying to clear up. our meteorologist, mike nicco, what do you have? >> we will look at our cameras, you can see the floating bay bridge but during the last 15 minutes we have -- okay, we will bring you the breaking news. >> there is white smoke coming from the sistine chapel. >> now reporting from rome, italy, diane sawyer. >> good evening, and we join you with breaking news. we are looking at the smoke billowing out of the chimney above the sistine chapel. we want to be extremely careful.

we have seen the smoke change. it looks light but we want to keep watching and make sure we are exactly right. i have with me archbishop gregory from atlanta. what do you think? >> i want to hear the bells. the bells are supposeed to signal that, indeed, it and white smoke. it looks like white smoke. there are the bells. there are the bells. let's pause for the roar at st. st. peter's square. [ applause ] >> it is white smoke. there is a pope, a new pope for the 1.2 billion catholics around the world.

i want to go at this moment to josh elliott. what does it sound like to you? >> reporter: of course, it was the moment when nobody could tell as you mentioned diane, but then, when it turned white and those bells started peeling, the ripples of u foreya could be heard. i can tell you there are tens and tens of thousands of people that packed the square. it's flowing down the main avenue leading to vatican square. there were gasps almost. i would describe it as a collective shock. again, this is something that many of these people, however faithful, might have wondered if they would ever witness in their lifetime. we've run into so many tourist because of the surprise resignation coincidentally planned trips here who said we're hopeful to see a new pope.

as the smoke billows from the sistine chapel chimney, they have gotten their wish. and now, i think a sense of collective euphoria is settling over. you can hear the chants as a new -- >> we do hear the chants and bells. >> 266 popes on the fifth ball ot. we believe on the fifth ballot. we have watched them wait for hours and hours in the cold and rain. talk about the faithful. david, can you even hear me? >> reporter: i can hear you, diane, but the crowd is cheering here. people running into the square trying to take photographs of that smoke while it still pours out of the chimney. this is a moment of huge

excitement as it was eight years ago. it's been miserable weather as you say and people have stood here for hours on end waiting to see the smoke, even knowing they may well be disappointed. tonight they weren't disappointed and the expectation soon will turn to that balcony right at the center of st. peters basilica because people will want to see who is going to pop out on the balcony and greet the faithful. may try to interpret who it is through the latin name of that person as we finally see them and we'll know for sure. >> we should tell everyone as we've been sitting here and watching and waiting, there is a man who has accepto. >> i accept, after the requisite

number of ballots, 77 at least, then the person in change says to him, do you accept the post of pope? and he has to say, yes, i accept. he has to take it freely. and then there are rituals which we'll be wading through and may not be able to see as cardinals pledge allegiance and o bebedie and as he tries on the three sizes of white outfits waiting for him. then he goes into the chapel and prays. there are things to happen before he comes out on the balcony and we know who he is. >> we are told the pope john paul ii will have a responsibility on his shoulders as we know, he will in one

instant become not only the 266th bishop of rome but insolvability on moments of faith. >> such an intense moment for that person and for this crowd as we see see as josh and david reported. it's a joyful moment because you could sense that they felt the struggle to discern inside the sistine chapel as catholics believe what god might want in this moment. to be the person that's chosen, they call it the room of tears that he's gone into for good reason. it is a tremendous burden now descending on someone's shoulders. >> it is a small room and there is a small plain altar in it at which each of the new popes kneels before going in to pray

alone. tell us more about what's happening right now as we're watching this smoke and waiting. >> there are the series of steps that takes place of course behind closed doors as the smoke is still billowing out. the pope has chosen his name, been asked, how will you call yourself? and he is giving the answer. so the cardinals on the inside know that name. we will soon find out when the announcement is made from the central balcony at st. peters. there is a ritual by which the cardinals come and pay homage to the pope and pledge obedience. >> how is that done? >> they each come forward and simply say they express individually to the pope their obedience and then they sing. there's a prayer service. we have a few steps to go through behind the closed doors. it may be a while before we get

the announcement. >> let's take a look again. you're looking at the front of st. peters and we can see the central balcony and even see the red curtains that have been draped there. again, as i said, i think it's about the fifth ballot we had. does that say to you it was a difficult decision as we await the name of the new pope? >> i would suspect that if it was indeed the fifth ballot and it appears it was, that it's an indication that the cardinals have done considerable conversations during the congregation and took it seriously but they had clear vision when they went in. it seems that it only took them five ballots to reach the mandatory number. >> to give you a sense, pope benedict was selected on the fourth ballot, pope john paul on

the eighth ballot. as we know, the consideration of pope benedict was that he would be elected right away. he would be selected right away. four ballots was considered quick? >> yes. he was a well known individual and had extensive backing from the cardinals. >> it is worth pointing out that we have been told he is watching the news broadcast presumably, he is watching the white smoke as well. one can only wonder what he is thinking of. >> i think that the fact that he resigned and is alive, really hung over this conclave. to drag it out would have been very difficult because the fact is that the church has been in an uncertain state since ep announced benedict announced on february 11th that he was

resigning. to provide a new pope and to have that certainty and to do it quickly, makes all the sense in the world. i think that that obligation hung heavily on these men and that they also after all they've been together now for several weeks so they had plenty of opportunities to talk before these two days. >> i want to make sure again that we just look at these radiant faces. we saw nuns and see people of all nationalities as best we can tell. how many people do we think are there? >> probably 50,000 and there are going to be 100,000 by the time this evening is over. of course, you know, it it's too bad the cardinals have seen what's going on in the square. they soon will peer out and listen to the new pope give his first blessing and he usually says a few words at the same time. what i find amazing actually is

that they did this fairly rapidly. you know, we reporters were hearing talk for weeks really about divisions among the cardinals. and there was some pretty frank talk in their general meetings before they went in to vote. and yet they seem to have coalesced around the candidate very quickly. >> as that smoke pours out, those radiant faces captured something that is going to be true all over the world. the pope gets a honeymoon. this is a celebratory moment in the history of the church. whatever the analysis is going to be of who this man is, there's going to be a tremendous amount of goodwill and prayer flowing his way. >> and i also think as diane mentioned earlier that benedict, our pope emeritus is watching, there must be a great sense of relief for him because he has a

tremendous love for the church and wanted only the best for the church. >> we hear occasional cheers erupting, almost as if a wave sweeps over top of the crowd and goes back and forth and we can hear it. it is deafening in their ears and you can hear it across the skies tonight. but i want to say the vatican has done anything it has never done before. they have announced the chemical composition of the white smoke for all chemistry students everywhere, it is poe tas yum color i'd with milk sugar coming up out of the chimney. >> any had two stoves, one that the ballots were burned in, and the other they described as a modern apparatus. and the modern apparatus has cartridges of the chemicals and

spews out the smoke. it marys with the old fashioned stove which i think is some of the reason we sometimes have trouble seeing what the color is. >> relief to all of us, still to be guessing. as we look again at st. peters, just a reminder, you are looking at a 430,000 square foot basilica. you could put a half dozen football fields inside and the new pope will make his way toward that balcony. we are hearing all of you who are writing us and tweeting us and we have a question, why does the pope take a new name? does he ever have to explain why he takes the name he does? >> in tradition, in biblical and religious tradition, one when assumes a new position, new job, accepts a new responsibility, a new name is given to that individual. and yes, popes do explain why

they chosen the specific name. pope benedict explained that he took the name benedict out of his love for saint benedict the great saint. and a desire to follow in the tradition of pope benedict xv who worked very hard for peace. >> there was betting on everything as we know and the new name that has been trending has been leo and gregory. >> some of us have been hoping for joseph. and i do think it is very likely now that will happen on st. joseph's -- st. joseph the husband of mary but also the patron of the church around the world and also father's day in italy. it's a nice symbolism for fathers and the pope being the

father of the church. >> let's take you through once again what we expect to happen as we look at the front of st. peters, the pope will go into the room of peers, he will take off the cap, the red cap. he will be given a white one. we are told even people in the room to help adjust and make sure it's right, even though there are three sizes, small, medium and large, does not necessarily fit three. there are seven boxes of different sized shoes. >> he will wear those for a few days until the tailors come and make the adjustments, but he will have the official papal attire on in a few moments. >> again, your excellency, we're looking at his balcony, but coming out on the other balcony will be cardinals, a beautiful

sight you see when all the cardinals in their red come out to stand with the pope in white emerges for the first time and we hear his name. >> they take a great sense of pride at what they have been able to accomplish together for the good of the church. and so they will be smiling with a certain degree of self-satisfaction, i'm sure. >> that must have been some lunch today. i have to say we were sitting thinking probably tomorrow. >> that was the word, as john has said, we're told they get wholesome but simple food prepared by the nun, pastas and soups and cheeses and the like. this is a global moment for this church. it is a huge opportunity for this church to speak to the world in a way that almost never

happens -- every x number of years. >> the man who is pope will not be known to most of the word. these cardinals are not known. when joseph rat zinger became benedict xvi, the people who paid attention, we knew who he was and many people knew who he was and he had a reputation for better and for worse. but in this case, this is going to be a person that most of the world has no idea anything about him. and so it's a moment of introduction that is really remarkable. >> let's get back to josh elliott. we hear the crowd cheer then go silent. can you tell us what's happening? >> reporter: in fact, it compares very much to 2006, i was here when italy beat france to win the world cup. the celebration is similar. they are breaking out really not just in st. peters square but

all the way down the main avenue, all of the streets in and around this part of rome leading to vatican city have been shut. they are -- they have put piety aside, they are dancing very interestingly, we're seeing the flags of the world flying. might we see a pope from north america, latin america, where some 40% of the world's catholics come from. wherever the pope does hail from, he will be represented. his countrymen are here. it is truly a global event. not just around the globe but here in and around vatican city, diane. >> and something we can't see in the night time but ron claiborne, if you can hear me, people stream in from all over rome. they walk and bike and do whatever it takes to get here. so this crowd is only building.

>> reporter: really that's the case. as you can see behind me, this boulevard here which is nearly empty 15 minutes ago, people are streaming in there now. they are crossing the street, darting their way through this thick rush hour roman traffic making their way to find out who the new pope will be. you can feel the enthusiasm, it's almost palpable here as i see people pressing across the street and weaving between the cars and filling in this boulevard leading up to the vatican. >> we're told that phone networks are simply overloaded, don't own try. we have another question from twitter, how long will it be before the new pope officially takes office? >> usually it's a five or six-day interim between election night and the celebration of his

installation. he is already the pope. the installation celebration is a festive prayerful moment to -- to give an opportunity for a larger community to pray with him in eucharist and celebrate. but he is even now behind the walls with no name, he is the pope. >> but he has a name, right? >> he has a name. the cardinals know the name. >> but then the minute that he says i accept, he says his name. which means that all of those 115 men have been in there thinking of their pope name. >> i suspect those in the voting were beginning to amass a certain number of votes. they probably did begin to think and to pray, to pray first but to anticipate what name would i

select if i am chosen. >> let's go back to david down in the crowd. are you talking to people there? what are they saying to you? >> reporter: we're talking about what? >> i wonder what the people are saying to you as you talk to them there. >> reporter: diane? >> yes, we know it is tough down there. we know that even though it doesn't look rauk us under the umbrel umbrella, we can hear the shouts. what are people saying to you as you speak to them? >> reporter: people are pouring into the square and they all have smiles on their faces, this is the moment of giddy excitement. people don't know who it's going to be and it was very much the same last time around. enjoying the suspenas you sa su church spokesman talked about the smoke signals, he says it's

important for people to live this moment. and the people here are not only living this moment but wanting to share it. there's a sense of community here. this is a church that touches all of rome and touches all of the world. people have been holding their flags and bringing their flags with them ready to cheer on their guy if their guy appears in the window. diane. >> and just a few of the details again. there is a throne at some point and the pope can choose to sit in it or stand? >> the pope has a lot of those kind of decisions to make. the pope could resurrect some of the practices that have not been used in sometimes in centuries, but even the more recent times the papal tiara, these are things the world will be watching carefully to see exactly what the pope does and says. it's all going to start here in a few minutes when the pope addresses this crowd after his

blessing. and you know, there's so much importance giving to these words. his very first appearance before the world. that will be followed in coming days by a homily that he'll give with cardinals then his inaugural mass and first decisions about who he wants to appoint as chief aid. i agree, there's going to be intense media and worldwide interest through every steps he takes. >> will be it an italian pope? there have been 213, 16 french, 6 german. will it be another nationality? also age, we know pope benedict was 78, there was discussion that perhaps this time there will be a younger pope. >> one of the reasons he gave for his resignation was that the burdens of the office became to great for a man of his own age

and physical stamina. it seems reasonable the cardinals would have considered that in choosing a successor. >> the bells have been ringing in the lawn and also ringing all over italy. we know we've asked before but we have another question from viewers, has anyone ever turned down the job of pope? >> we probably will never know for sure because it's done within the secrecy of the conclave. and if it has happened and no one has broken the confidentiality, it has gone to the grave to the man or men who turned it down. >> earlier today we saw something astonishing, for a minute there were only two celebrities down in st. peters square and they are dubbed the sistine -- as we waited and

watched. it was amazing. the entire crowd one bird on the stand for a long time on top of that chimney and suddenly another one came in and replaced that bird and they both flew off. we kept wondering if they would be -- >> right away, we're sure given the time we live in, that bird had a twitter feed, which is part is what is happening. generational change. it will have to be an e pope. >> let's go back to josh elliott down in the square. >> reporter: the crowds have certainly amassed now, diane, we have just learned that now within the hour those words will be spoken hab nus papam and